Private Fostering

What is private fostering?

Private fostering occurs when a child under 16 (or 18 if they are disabled) lives with and is cared for by an adult who is not a close relative, for 28 days or more, by private arrangement between the parent (or legal guardian) and the private foster carer. Private foster carers may be from the child’s extended family such as a cousin or great aunt. However, a person who is a close relative such as; a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether of full blood or half blood or by marriage) or step-parent will not be a private foster carer.

Examples of private fostering arrangements

Children sent to this country, for education or health care, by parents who live overseas.
A teenager living with a friend's family because they don't get on with their own family.
Children living with a friend's family because their parents' study or work involves unsociable hours, which make it difficult to use ordinary day care or after-school care.
Children staying with another family because their parents have separated or divorced.
A child from overseas staying with a host family while attending a language school, or overseas
Students at boarding school who stay with a host family during the holidays.

Notification

The Children Act 1989 and new measures in the Children Act 2004 and the Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 2005 have reinforced the requirements for notification. All local authorities must now be informed of any proposed or ongoing private fostering arrangements that take place within its area.
If you are planning to privately foster a child, or to have your child privately fostered, you must inform the City of London’s Children’s Social Care Service at least six weeks before the arrangement begins. If the arrangement has already begun then you must notify us immediately.
The City of London Corporation’s Children’s Social Care Service has a legal requirement to ensure that the welfare of all privately fostered children is being safeguarded and protected, and to check on the suitability of the adults looking after them.

What happens after notification?

Once the City of London’s Children’s Social Care Service has been notified of a possible or existing private fostering arrangement we have a duty to make a judgment on the suitability of the arrangement to make sure the welfare of all privately fostered children is being satisfactorily safeguarded and promoted. We will:

allocate a Social Worker;
explore with the parents the need for the arrangement and any other ways in which that need might be met;
clarify the proposed duration of the arrangement;
ensure all parties involved are aware of the implications of the arrangements and what it involves – this includes taking account of the views of the child;
carry out an assessment of the prospective private foster carers’ suitability for the role, and that of other members of their household; including carrying out
checks on the private foster carers and their premises;
check different aspects of the private fostering arrangement to make sure that the arrangement is a suitable one;
ensure that all the necessary requirements are met;
make regular visits to the child to make sure they are safe and well cared for;
provide the necessary support and advice to parents and the private foster carers;

How to contact the Children’s Social Care Service

For further information about Private Fostering, or to notify us of an arrangement please contact;

Practice Manager
Children’s Social Care Service
Community and Children’s Services Department
City of London Corporation
North Wing, Guildhall
PO BOX 270
London EC2P 2EJ

In Person
Office hours: 9.15 am – 5 pm Mon – Fri.

By Telephone
Tel: 020 7332 3621

By Fax
0207 332 3434

By Email

Out of hours Emergency Duty Team (EDT)
020 8356 2345 / 2346 (5pm – 9.15am the following day)

Booklets and Publications

The City of London has produced various booklets and posters about private fostering, all of which are available online (see links below) or in hard copy. If you would like to receive a hard copy of any of these booklets please contact the Family and Young People’s Information Service (FYI) at:

Family and Young People’s Information Service (FYI)
Community and Children’s Services Department
City of London Corporation
North Wing, Guildhall
PO BOX 270
London EC2P 2EJ
Tel: 020 7332 1002
Fax: 020 7332 1621
Email: FYI@cityoflondon.gov.uk.

Read and download a booklet

Keeping Children Safe: A Guide to Private Fostering.pdf (1342k)
A general guide to understanding private fostering.

Parents and Carers Guide.pdf (1084k)
Contains information for parents and carers who are, or are planning to be involved in a private fostering arrangement.

A Children and Young People’s Guide.pdf (439k)
Contains information for children and you people who are living with a private foster carer.

A Professionals Guide to Private Fostering.pdf (954k)
Contains information for professionals about private fostering and the legal requirements.

A Reference Guide for Professionals.pdf (282k)
A quick reference guide for professionals.